Manufacturing


About This Cluster

Jobs in the manufacturing career cluster involve planning, managing, and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities, such as production planning and control, maintenance process engineering.

The regular responsibilities of someone in the manufacturing sector would include a typical inside environment. Often, depending on the process, a person would be standing working on their product. Computer skills are often required as more and more jobs require digital tracking of production sequence.

Here is a description of someone in manufacturing: Test products or subassemblies for functionality or quality. Troubleshoot problems it equipment, devices, or products. Build product subassemblies or final assemblies. Monitor and adjust production processes or equipment for quality and productivity. Set up and operate production equipment in accordance with current good manufacturing practices and standard operating procedures. Assist engineers in developing, building, or testing prototypes or new products, processes, or procedures. Build packaging for finished products.

Learn more about career paths in this cluster!

Ever wondered about being a Welder? How about an Electrician?

Skills and Interests

  1. Helpful skills of the manufacturing sector would be a detailed oriented personality. Many manufacturers are risk averse, so being able to follow complex process and instructions is also very helpful.
  2. The prevalence of computer-controlled machinery- managed by systems like job shop manufacturing demands manufacturing workers that possess a combination of math skills, intuition, stamina, and sometimes a college degree. Any high tech skill will setup to help someone enter the field of manufacturing and enable them to be on the higher salary side.

Northern New York Community Foundation Scholarships

Applications for academic year 2021-2022 Freshman Scholarships 

Since 1980, the Northern New York Community Foundation has awarded more than $18 million in scholarships to students from Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence counties.

The Community Foundation annually awards scholarships to:

  • High school seniors for their freshman year in college or technical school. Full-time enrollment is required for a one-year award.
  • High school juniors in St. Lawrence County who will plan to pursue careers in STEM-related fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) are encouraged to apply for a one-year award.
  • Nontraditional students for any year of college or vocational, trade and technical school are also available. Part-time or full-time enrollment is required, and applicants must live in Jefferson, Lewis or St. Lawrence county. Applicants may reapply each year.

Scholarships, which can average up to $2,000, are available from three programs the Community Foundation administers:

  • Northern New York Community Foundation Scholarships — Awarded to students in liberal arts.
  • Herring College Memorial Scholarships — Awarded to students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and related fields.
  • Visiting Nurse Association Scholarships — Awarded to students in nursing and health-related fields.

The Community Foundation also stewards more than 300 restricted scholarships through funds that individual donors have established.

Education

Local High School Programs/Classes: Carthage Central Robotics, Lyme or Thousand Islands require Job Shadowing. There is Project Lead The Way offered at several high schools through RIT. This is a pre-engineering program.

BOCES Programs:

Jefferson Lewis BOCES:

St. Lawrence-Lewis BOCES:

Local College / University Majors: 

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Search colleges by location and interest here.

Earnings

The National Bureau of Labor statistics reports that the average hourly earnings for a individual in the manufacturing industry is $25.41 per hour and $40,490 annually. Wages are different for each of the different trades; in general, the more technical positions or positions that require more skills have higher wages. • Beverage and Tobacco Product Manufacturing o Average Hourly Mean (2014): $24.15 • Wood Product Manufacturing o Average Hourly Mean (2014): $17.41 • Primary Metal Manufacturing o Average Hourly Mean (2014): $20.18 • Source: National Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Barrett Paving

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